Free community advance directives workshop helps people stay in charge of healthcare decisions

What happens if you can no longer speak for yourself and lose the ability to express your healthcare wishes? If you have an advance directive, your family and caregivers will know what care you want, or may not want, on your terms, and it will be easier for a loved one to make decisions for you.

Northern Light CA Dean and Mayo Hospitals are holding a free workshop on Tuesday, April 29 from 4-5 p.m. to share information about advance directives and how to complete the Maine Healthcare Advance Directive Form. The workshop will be held simultaneously at the Northern Light Mayo Hospital Resource Center, 897 West Main St. Dover-Foxcroft, and the Greenville Public Safety Building, 7 Minden St.

“An advance directive gives you control over your treatment even when you can’t speak for yourself,” says Nikki Chadwick, RN, MSN, CPHQ, vice president of education and preparedness, CA Dean and Mayo Hospitals. “When you complete an advance directive, you will have confidence and peace of mind knowing that your choices will be honored to the greatest extent possible.”

CA Dean and Mayo Hospitals encourage all adults to complete an advance directive, regardless of their current health or stage of life. Completed advance directives forms are securely stored in the electronic medical record for easy access.

For more information about the workshop, please call 207-564-4391.